The Henry and Stark County Health Departments note that November hasbeen designated as American Diabetes Month. Nearly 26 million children andadults have diabetes and an additional 79 million are at-risk for developingtype 2 diabetes. Obviously, this disease is taking a devastating physical,emotional and financial toll on our country. Yet, most Americans don'tconsider diabetes a serious matter. They feel it is someone else'sresponsibility; someone else's problem. The Health Department staff, along with the American DiabetesAssociation (ADA), wants to raise awareness about the importance of knowingthe risk factors and symptoms associated with diabetes; as well as, itsserious and life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke,blindness, kidney disease and amputation. Diabetes is dangerous because high blood sugar isn't usually somethingyou can feel. Many people have no outward type 2 diabetes symptoms at alland can go years without being diagnosed. That's why it's important to be aware of the type 2 diabetes symptomsand risk factors for diabetes. Get screened by a health care provider ifyou have the following type 2 diabetes symptoms:* Being unusually thirsty* Having to urinate often* Feeling hungry all the time* Losing weight (without trying)* Having blurry vision* Feeling very tired* Frequent infections* Cuts and sores that heal slowly As many as half of all Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed. Withoutproper diagnosis, other complications caused by high blood sugar can slowlydevelop. Experts agree that there are certain lifestyle and genetic risk factorsfor type 2 diabetes. People who are the greatest risk of developingdiabetes include those who:* Are age 45 or older* Are overweight* Have a family member (such as a parent, brother or sister) with diabetes* Are not physically active* Are African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American or PacificIslander* Have had high blood sugar levels in the past* Have had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds* Have high blood pressure* Have low "good" cholesterol* Have a high level of fats (triglycerides) in the blood. If you are over age 45, talk with your health care provider about beingtested for diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have family memberswith the condition. Regardless of your age, if you are overweight and haveone or more of the other risk factors listed, the ADA suggests that you betested for diabetes now. Therefore, the Department announces that, in honorof American Diabetes Month; for the month of November, Blood Sugar checksare available through their clinic offices in Kewanee and Colona Free-ofCharge. Appointments are not necessary and walk-in are welcome. In addition, the Health Department Home Health Staff is available forDiabetes educational programs. To arrange a presentation or for moreinformation on Home Health Services call the Health Department at (309)852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us onFacebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments. In addition, formore information about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association Website www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES.